1998-10-22_AgendaPacket - Laserfiche WebLink

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5. WASHINGTON COUNTY GREENWAYS CORRIDOR PROJECT Cordelia Pierson was present to discuss The Green Corridor Project, atwo-year LCMR-funded project in Washington and Chisago Counties to help communities accommodate growth while preserving the landscape of the area. Incentives and tools are being made available to landowners to encourage land conservation. These voluntary tools will be the primary mechanisms to create the Green Corridor: • Donated Conservation Easements • Purchased Development Rights (PDR) (a public purchase of the conservation easement) • Transferred Development Rights (TDR) • Land Acquisition Existing protected lands will be linked with other important open spaces, including high quality farmland, stream corridors, wetlands, wildlife and recreational corridors, environmentally sensitive areas, cultural lands, natural resources, and scenic areas. Information will be collected from meetings with local governments and from upcoming town hall forums, then inventoried and mapped by their technical advisory committee. They plan to have alternative corridors identified by the end of the year. A public opinion survey they conducted found that 85% of Washington County residents support the protection of more open space. They have created various educational materials, including a landowner options handbook. She also presented to the District a copy of their video and another handbook entitled "A Land Protection Toolbox for Local Government." She received suggestions from the Board on other community groups who would be interested in this presentation. Louise Watson mentioned that the Carver Lake watershed management plan (including La Lake) will be developed next year, which is probably the last area within our watershed district that has potential for open space. She is interested to see what opportunities arise between now and the next construction season where open space could be designated in this area. Cliff Aichinger stated that corridor protection elements are also being incorporated into the District-wide vegetative inventory. 6. PROJECT STAT~IS REPORTS 1999 Capital Improvement Projects -continued discussion Roger Lake requested that all references contained. in the CIP report to wetland detention for new developments be consistent with the approach as defined in the Watershed Management Plan. Relative to last month's Board action to authorize the start of the Tamarack Swamp plant inventory, Tom MacDonald reported that the accompanying aerial photo work was finished as of Friday, and the subcontractor will begin work on the plant inventory next week. The consultant's findings on the wetland fill impacts will be presented at the October Board. meeting. Discussion was held on the revised approach taken this year towards CIP planning by preparing feasibility studies prior to levying project money. Brad Lindaman explained that the costs projected in the report assume that the District is paying the full cost. However, as each project is implemented, city engineers will become involved and responsibilities will be clarified. The cities may choose to do some of the work with their own staff which will reduce the District costs. Cliff reported on yesterday's meeting with MnDOT project engineers to discuss the possibility of state funding for the proposed ponds along I-94. They will require Board approval of a banking agreement before further activity can proceed. He also learned that over the next five to ten years, MnDOT is proposing various lane realignments and ponds on the stretch of combined I-35E /I-694 in Little Canada which may affect the Owasso Basin project. Discussions were completed by the Board, resulting in no substantial changes to the 1999 CIB Recommendations report. The projects will be considered at the Public Hearing on September 2, 1998. Page 3 August S, 1998 RWMWD Minutes